7 Tips for Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

1. Change something every day. It may be as simple as sitting in a different chair at home, or moving your desk slightly to get a new perspective. It keeps you on your toes and gets you used to change.

2. What is your greatest fear? Write down what is your greatest fear at work e.g. doing a presentation to the Board of Directors, meeting people and then not remembering their names, being made redundant, looking stupid in front of colleagues – then ask yourself – What is the worst that could happen if that situation occurred? – How would I overcome this? If you are able to think through a situation ahead of time and find a potential solution it makes it less scary. That’s what we did prior to our expedition to the North Pole.

3. Accept that fear is in all of us. Once you acknowledge that everyone has fears and it’s a natural part of life, you can look at them differently. Think about how you can make fear a positive thing that works for you. For example, it might cause you to do more prep for that presentation, or create a way of remembering people’s names.

4. Change the word you use from fear to curiosity. Whilst fear may bring on one type of emotion, try using the word curiosity instead. This can open you up to want to gain understanding of something you have no knowledge or experience of, and is often associated with anticipation or enthusiasm.

5. Look for a physical challenge. Many people enjoy pushing their boundaries by embarking on a physical activity such as rock climbing or trekking. Make a commitment to do something new – arrange a great day out and will get your heart racing, e.g. rock climbing or zip wire.

6. Relax, and reflect. Stepping out your comfort zone does not always have to be about activity. For some of you the challenge might be to slow down, relax and take time for yourself. I recommend Joy of Being http://www.joyofbeing.net/

7. Don’t be on your own. Find a way to share your fears with others because by doing so shows you are human and vulnerable. This takes courage but also can help build rapport with others. So share what you are going to do to step out of your comfort zone!

Sue Stockdale is a motivational speaker, executive coach and polar adventurer. She was the First British woman to walk to the Magnetic North Pole and represented Scotland in athletics. She is Chapter Chair of Women Presidents Organisation in UK, and Director of WEConnect Europe, the leading supplier diversity initiative. Sue is passionate about helping women achieve their goals in business http://www.suestockdale.com/

Attract Love Into Your Life

Harness the energy of the Earth and give your love life a jolt! If you’ve been waiting around for The One and they still haven’t made an appearance, maybe it’s time to tap into a little flower power and get things moving.

Flowers, plants and herbs have been used for centuries to inspire love and passion. This ancient wisdom can still be used today to bring you the relationship you’ve been waiting for.

By utilizing the wisdom of plants and working with the energies of the earth, you will align yourself with spiritual forces that can shift the flow of your life in a direction that is more attuned to love.

The powers of the flowers can be utilized in a multitude of ways. Choose one or all of the flowers below and then read on to learn how to activate their powers.

Rose
The queen of love, this gorgeous bloom is flower royalty. Heals, opens and purifies the heart. Attracts self-love and love from others.

Jasmine
Charming and seductive, jasmine is the flower flirt. She’ll warm you up and bring your hidden love powers to light.

Ylang Ylang
The exotic sensuality of ylang ylang can melt almost anyone’s resolve. Use this sexy flower with care, for when you really want results.

Gardenia
Rich, deep and creamy, the gardenia has a subtle but warm sexiness that can help to ease you into new love connections.

Carnation
Straightforward and pure, the carnation evokes a gentle love. Use when you want to move into something new slowly -- but surely.

Activating the Powers

Adornment
Adorning yourself with love-attracting flowers will activate their energy and help you to shift your attention to a more receptive mindset. Put your flowers of choice in your hair or buttonhole, make a wreath or wear a lei. For a more concentrated effect, wear the flowers as perfume. Use high-quality, pure essential oils for maximum benefit.

Decoration
Buy or grow your flowers of choice and place regular bouquets in prominent spots in your house. If you use Feng Shui, make sure to amplify your relationship corner with fresh blooms. Just remember to remove them as soon as they start to droop.

Baths
Use the flowers to make magical baths. Add them fresh, dried or in the form of essential oils. Soak in a bath with the flowers while you envision the relationship or person you want to attract. To amplify the power of a love bath, add a little honey, which is the combined essence of thousands of flowers.

Cooking
Remember the movie Like Water for Chocolate? The results of one rose-infused dish invoked overwhelming feelings of love and passion. While you may not get the same instantaneous results, it’s definitely worth it to experiment with using flowers in your food. Try flower-infused salads, desserts and teas. Make just for yourself -- or serve to a very important guest!

Why We're Drawn to Certain People as Friends

Ever notice you have several friends who share the same Sun sign -- but it's a different sign than yours? It's only natural that we tend to befriend people whom we admire ... and with whom we feel a kinship.

How then does astrology come into play?

One's Sun, Another's Moon
The strongest connection between friends -- or lovers, for that matter -- is the conjunction of one person's Sun with the other's Moon sign. For example, if you're a Cancer with a Virgo Moon, you may connect well with someone who has a Virgo Sun. It's also likely that someone with a Cancer Moon will feel a connection to you.

What's at work here? Your conscious ego function is seeking a match that complements you on an emotional level. After all, nothing makes a friendship last like a strong emotional connection, when the two of you simply "get one another" on a level deeper than usual.

Look Ahead

Another astrological theory that can come into play when making and keeping friends has to do with looking for signs 90 degrees ahead of yours. For example, if you're an Aries, you may unconsciously seek out Cancer friends; continuing this trend, Taurus seeks out Leo's companionship, Gemini seeks Virgo's, and so on.

This has to do with opposites attracting. Those "ahead" of you on the zodiac's path have a different set of skills and attributes from which you can learn. By pairing with them, you may endure a bit of a bumpy friendship at times, but one that's also full of growth and learning.

Fire Attracts Fire

Finally, here's a fairly simple, yet tried-and-true principle: Signs that share elements (Fire, Water, Earth, Air) generally mingle well with one another. For example, if you're an airy Libra, you'll likely make a strong connection with fellow Air signs Gemini and Aquarius; the same can be said if you're an earthy Virgo and other fiery types (Taurus or Capricorn).

By looking at your close friends and examining the signs you're most attracted to, you'll gain a better sense of the companions who comfort you!

The Perfect Movements for Your Sun Sign

Let the zodiac guide you through a series of stress-release movements. For maximum results, work through this entire 12-sign regimen; if you're pressed for time, even taking 10 minutes with your own Sun sign will do wonders for your mind, body and spirit.


Aries
Focus on the stress you carry in your face, then release that tension by channeling any aggressive impulses into very raw movement. You can even start by giving yourself a little facial massage with chewy mouth stretches to release jaw tension. Punching, kicking, lunging forward or any martial arts activity will get you right into the Aries vibe of activating your instincts and aggression.

Taurus
Slow yourself down. Truly listen to your body as you use deliberate, earthy and sensual movements that allow you to feel as if you are using all five senses. Work closely with sound and movement together, and allow your movement to remain close to the ground. Focus specifically on the neck and shoulders, where Taureans tend to carry the weight of the world.

Gemini
Focus primarily on your breath, accentuating inhalation. From there, experiment with quick and dynamic motion. Don't be afraid to flail yourself around to a fun soundtrack as you pay special attention to your arms, shoulders and wrists -- all Gemini-ruled areas of the body. Move like the wind and don't forget to breathe, for Gemini also rules the lungs.

Cancer
Allow your emotions to shape and move you. Let your body reflect the mood you're in, and change movement as your emotions change tone. Movements that allow you to get within yourself -- that make you feel as if you're in a protective shell -- are the most nurturing. Cancer rules the stomach, so choose movements that feel soothing to your tummy. You can also meditate on old memories or photographs to get in touch with buried feelings.

Leo
The goal is to open your heart. Yoga's "Fish Pose" is an excellent image, as are any bigger-than-life dance routines you can conjure. Choose bold, expressive movements, preferably performed in the sunshine. Leo is all about strength and self-confidence, so anything requiring heavy doses of will and determination will also activate your inner Lion.

Virgo
Focus on detailed movements requiring precision and repetition. Add many spinal twists to your routine, for they stimulate the intestines and are excellent for Virgos. Repeating movements until you exhaust your nervous energy is very healing for Virgo's compulsive tendencies. Tweak it out!

Libra
Seek graceful movements that fill you with a sense of poise and inner peace. Ballet-inspired movements will give you the beauty and graceful sense of Libra. Use breath awareness to smooth out any rough edges or pesky imbalances in your body. Balancing poses such as "Tree Pose" are fantastic for checking on how your scales are rocking.

Scorpio
Focusing on your pelvic area, choose movements that access the watery and sexual energy of Scorpio. Try hip circles, lotus pose, hip shaking -- anything that opens up your hips and stirs your kundalini. Snake-like or belly dancing-inspired movements will rally the darker, sensual and transformative side of Scorpio. Intensity in your movement is key, so unleash your passionate streak.

Sagittarius
Sharp, extended and expansive movements will often engender Sagittarius's energy. Feeling as though you are breaking new ground or reaching higher in your dance can unite you with the essence of Sag. You should feel like you're galloping through an open field -- or even flying! The more open and larger-than-life your movements, the more you'll activate that Sagittarian free spirit.

Capricorn
Work on being conscious of the boundaries of your skin while choosing disciplined movement. Remain mindful of each new step, and allow your body to move with commanding presence. Most importantly, choose movements that feel soothing to your knees, instead of potentially blowing them out.

Aquarius
Work with quick, erratic movements, and don't try to make sense of them. Follow your zaniest impulses without question, for the key is to experiment. Allow electrical impulses of energy to shoot through your limbs without holding back. Shock yourself with how strange and inventive your movements can get!

Pisces
Allow yourself to feel like you're dancing -- with no bones to hold you up. Imagine your body completely made of water ... and float accordingly. Keep your limbs watery and your mind dreamy, then enter a wholly fluid state. Close your eyes, go into the void of the unknown and see what emerges. Remember, as modern dance pioneer Martha Graham said: "Keep the channel open."

A Passionate Week!

Get ready for a week of passion, intensity and determination! First, Mercury's entrance into Scorpio will help you ferret out the information you need. Then a full Moon in fiery Aries on October 22 inflames passions, and you'll need to pace yourself so you don't burn out! Finally, the Sun follows Mercury into determined Scorpio on October 23, helping you set a steady course.

October 20: Mercury enters Scorpio
With Mercury's entrance into passionate Scorpio, we enter the deep waters of feelings and intuition. Now, your hunches and instincts get top billing. But also, with the planet of communication in such a determined sign, the intensity ratchets up. At your best, you'll be able to focus your mind with laser-like precision, making this a great time to finish a writing project, put the finishing touches on a resume or bring up a topic that's been hard to talk about. Just watch out for a tendency to obsess: If you find your mind looping around the same theme too many times, hop off that merry-go-round and go get some cotton candy! Even great minds need a break, right?

October 22: Full Moon in Aries
On September 23, we experienced a full Moon in the first degree of Aries. This month, a second full Moon takes place in Aries, but in the last degree. One thing is for sure with this feisty warrior sign -- expect to feel fired-up! Your challenge will be to assert yourself in a way that makes you proud. At its best, Aries is courageous and pioneering. You will be able to move mountains if you use the bold energy of this sign and the passion of the full Moon to advance yourself while advocating for others.

October 23: The Sun enters Scorpio
You won't feel lukewarm about anything as the Sun heads into passionate, emotionally driven Scorpio. This resourceful and determined sign gives you the power and stamina to further yourself in whichever arena you choose. Use the amazing strength of this transit to follow your passion -- whether it's beginning a new career, signing up for the Peace Corps or writing a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel!